GUATEMALA: Land of the Quetzal A Tropical Birding custom tour 17–30 Mar 2011
Leader: Michael Retter Photos by Michael Retter
For such a tiny country, Guatemala has a lot to offer. The birds are diverse and colorful: Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot, Spot-breasted Oriole, Garnet-throated Hummingbird. With the exception of Tikal, this custom tour visited the same locations as our new set-departure, offing a wide range of habitats: cool high-elevation pine forest, a spectacular volcanic lake, dry thornscrub, lowland rainforest, and cloudforest. Though many of Guatemala’s endemic birds are shared with Mexico, here they’re easier to find and to get to. Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager, for instance, is readily found via short ride in a vehicle just above a comfortable lodge—a far cry from the 25+ miles of hiking necessary in Mexico! And need I even mention the emerald-and-red Resplendent Quetzal (above right)? The quetzal is even the unit of currency in Guatemala. Could there possibly be a better place to see it?
Itinerary 17 Mar Arrival in Guatemala City. 18 Apr Rincón Suizo to Unicornio Azul. 19 Apr Unicornio Azul. 20 Apr Fuentes Georginas and Las Nubes. 21 Apr Las Nubes. 22 Apr Las Nubes. 23 Apr Las Nubes to Los Andes. 24 Apr Los Andes to Tarrales. 25 Apr Tarrales. 26 Apr Tarrales to Panajachel via Lake Atitlán. 27 Apr Volcán San Pedro to Antigua via Panajachel. 28 Apr Finca Filadelfia. 29 Apr El Pilar. 30 Apr Departure. . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 1 - PHOTO JOURNAL
Pink-headed Warblers are fairly common at higher elevations in Guatemala.
Such as on Volcán Tajumulco, The gorgeous Goldman's Warbler, endemic the highest point in Central America. to high-elevation pine forest of Guatemala. Just another Yellow-rump this is not!
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 2 - This is Rancho Unicornio Azul, perched atop the Sierra de Cuchumatanes, and home to Goldman's Warbler. It's also a great place to go horseback riding.
Rufous-collared Sparrows are "Guatemalan" Juncos are larger and abundant at higher elevations. darker than other Yellow-eyed Juncos.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 3 - Which way to go? Towards the Blue-throated Motmot, perhaps!
A native Fuchsia. Fulvous Owl.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 4 - We were fortunate to have found Sparkling-tailed Woodstar--a very an Emerald Toucanet nest right next difficult-to-find species. Unfortunately, to the viewing platform at Las Nubes. the male wouldn't pose like she did!
Male Resplendent Quetzal in mid-display. The endangered Cabanis's Tanager is endemic to a small area of Chiapas and Guatemala. Also known as Azure-rumped Tanager, it's the more colorful northern counterpart of the Gray-and- gold Tanager of Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. We had great views of no fewer than 10 birds at a fruiting strangler fig.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 5 - The steep slog up the volcano was A small flock of Black-throated Jays passed by worth it for Horned Guan. I think where we saw the Horned Guan. bizarre is the best word to describe it.
Lower on the trail our local guide took us to a A snazzy male Blue-crowned fruiting tree, where a pair of Bar-winged Orioles Chlorophonia was also there. was coming to eat. This is a male.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 6 - At the bottom of the volcano we And this Spot-breasted Oriole. found species more typical of the lowlands like this (male) Barred Antshrike.
Above one of the coffee fincas, our local This Black Hawk-Eagle circled guide pointed out a family of Stygian Owls! over us quite leisurely! Here’s one of the three fluffy youngsters.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 7 - The striking Prevost's Ground-Sparrow can be Which is also where we found this found along the shores of Lake Atitlán. male Belted Flycatcher. What a crest!
Here you can see how he gets his name. Common Gallinules are common residents along the shores of the lake.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 8 - This strikingly beautiful male hybrid Baltimore × Bullock's Oriole was quite a surprise!
Band-backed Wren. A male Elegant Euphonia.
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 9 - Azure-crowned Hummingbird. The “Blue-crested” Steller’s Jays in Guatemala look quite different compared to their northern cousins.
Blue-tailed Hummingbird
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 10 - BIRD LIST
This list includes all the bird species that were recorded by at least one of us. Taxonomy and nomenclature closely follow Howell's Checklist of the Birds of Mexico and all subsequent AOU supplements, but some IOC decisions are also included. In any case, scientific names are included to leave no doubt. Quotation marks denote a possible future split. For instance, "Deville's" Berylline Hummingbird means that the “Deville's” form may one day be split from Berylline Hummingbird. Brackets denote the larger taxon from which a species has been split. For instance, Striple-thoated [Little] Hermit means that Stripe-throated Hermit was once considered a subspecies of Little Hermit (and may still be by some authorities). Parentheses denote an alternate name used by some checklists. For example, Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager.
Total: 259 species.
Birding at El Pilar.
GALLIFORMES: Cracidae White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens Highland Guan Penelopina nigra Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus
GALLIFORMES: Odontophoridae . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 11 - Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx leucophrys Spotted Wood Quail Odontophorus guttatus Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus Ocellated Quail Cyrtonyx ocellatus
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Green Heron Butorides virescens Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus White-breasted Hawk Accipiter chionogaster Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis American Kestrel Falco sparverius Merlin Falco columbarius Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata American Coot Fulica americana
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 12 - Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Inca Dove Columbina inca Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis Yellow-naped Amazon (Parrot) Amazona auropalliata
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens Mottled Owl Strix virgata Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata Stygian Owl Asio stygius
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis Mexican Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus arizonae
APODIFORMES: Apodidae Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis
APODIFORMES: Trochilidae Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 13 - Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura “Deville's” Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina devillei Amethyst-throated Mountaingem (H’bird) Lampornis amethystinus Green-throated Mountaingem Lampornis viridipallens White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris Sparkling-tailed Woodstar Tilmatura dupontii Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Wine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti
TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno Gartered [Violaceous] Trogon Trogon caligatus Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
CORACIIFORMES: Momotidae Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis Blue-diademed [Blue-crowned] Motmot Momotus lessonii Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa
PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus
PICIFORMES: Picidae Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Velasquez's [Golden-fronted] Woodpeck'r Melanerpes santacruzi Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus “Guaemalan” Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus mexicanoides Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
PASSERIFORMES: Furnariidae Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufum Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 14 - Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
PASSERIFORMES: Thamnophilidae Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
PASSERIFORMES: Pipridae Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis
PASSERIFORMES: Tityridae Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Gray-collared Becard Pachyramphus major Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus notius Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 15 - Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
PASSERIFORMES: Ptilogonatidae Gray Silky Ptilogonys cinereus
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae “Black-eared” Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus Rufous-backed [Rufous-naped] Wren Campylorhynchus capistratus Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Spot-breasted Wren Pheugopedius maculipectus Rufous-and-white Wren Thryophilus rufalbus Plain Wren Cantorchilus modestus “Southern” House Wren Troglodytes musculus Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus White-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucosticta Gray-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
PASSERIFORMES: Polioptilidae Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Brown Creeper Certhia americana
PASSERIFORMES: Mimidae Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 16 - Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Black Robin (Thrush) Turdus infuscatus Clay-colored Robin (Thrush) Turdus grayi White-throated Robin (Thrush) Turdus assimilis Rufous-collared Robin (Thrush) Turdus rufitorques
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus
PASSERIFORMES: Peucedramidae Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis “Plain” Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus perplexis Black-headed Siskin Carduelis notata Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Hooded Grosbeak Hesperiphona abeillei
PASSERIFORMES: Parulidae Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla Crescent-chested Warbler Oreothlypis superciliosa Yellow Warbler Dendroica aestiva Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia Audubon's [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica auduboni Goldman's [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica goldmani Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis Grace's Warbler Dendroica graciae Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla waterthrush sp. Parkesia sp. MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 17 - Chestnut-capped [Rufous-capped] Warb. Basileuterus rufifrons delattrii Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli
PASSERIFORMES: Icteridae Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Baltimore × Bullock's Oriole hybrid Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus Melodious Blackbird Dives dives Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis “Guatemalan” Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus alticola Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Prevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuata White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis Yellow-throated Brushfinch Atlapetes gutteralis Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinucha Common Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
PASSERIFORMES: Thraupidae Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager Tangara cabanisi Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
PASSERIFORMES: Cardinalidae Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata Summer Tanager Piranga rubra . . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 18 - Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
. . GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 19 -